Prayers, please, for two families and a bunch of kids...
PALMDALE, Los Angeles County … A 13-year-old pitcher whose baseball team, the Angels, had just lost for the first time this season was being teased at the concession stand when witnesses said he pulled out a bat and clobbered his 15-year-old antagonist.
Now he could face a murder charge.
The teen, whose name was not released, was arrested
Wednesday for investigation of murder and was being held at
Antelope Valley Juvenile Hall as authorities prepared to take
the case to prosecutors.
He is suspected of killing spectator Jeremy Rourke, 15,
after the Tuesday night game.
Despite the fight, the boys had no history of problems, said
coach of the opposing Dodgers.
The suspect was the starting pitcher when his team was
beaten for the first time in eight games by the Dodgers, a team
that went into the game with a 1-6 record.
Deputies declined to provide further details of the attack. Ryan Gosporra, 15, said the incident began when his friend
Rourke cut in front of the suspect in the snack bar line. Neither he nor Trevino saw the attack that occurred after the last game of the night with about 40 people at the field.
Witnesses said the two boys teased each other before the suspect pulled a bat from his bag and hit Rourke in the knees, then the head.
Earlier, the suspect had appeared upset about the game but
nothing seemed out of the ordinary, said witnesses. The boy was known for being competitive but did not have a reputation for being violent.
After the attack, the suspect standing against a fence with his parents. He looked scared. He was in shock,the coach said.
Other onlookers said the 13-year-old seemed dazed after the
incident.
The Palmdale Pony League field has a sign recruiting boys 5
to 14 and encouraging parents to "Protect Our Nation's Youth."
League officials said play would be suspended at the field
for several days. Rourke had been a junior umpire and his father is a past president of the league.
A memorial was held at Highland High School, where Rourke
attended classes. Students shared memories, and a bundle of
pink and black balloons was released.
Original Post